CHAPTER 830: CHAPTER 648: A BAD PREMONITION? (PART 2)

"But such a troublesome monster was so easily defeated by you that day."

The mysterious magician revealed information about the involved monster while looking at Reiger and Ais.

"I see." Reiger said calmly, "That’s why you’re targeting me, right?"

This was the second reason they purposely sought out Reiger and Ais.

"The strongest magic swordsman and the strongest female swordsman in Orario, your prowess is praised by even the gods. This incident can only be resolved by top-level adventurers, and you are undoubtedly the best of them." The mysterious magician stated, "We hope you will provide assistance, as this is also the guild’s wish."

As the official management organization of Orario, the guild can issue mandatory tasks to all clans in the city during emergencies.

The various clans in the city also have an obligation to assist the guild, which is a contract established when the guild was founded.

The major clans stand firm in Orario, and receive the guild’s assistance when exploring the underground city. In such circumstances, if the city encounters problems, the clans also have the responsibility to help.

This has been the mode of cooperation for a long time, so after the abnormal situation on the 24th floor occurred, adventurers requested that the guild quickly have major clans dispatch top-level adventurers to resolve the situation.

If it weren’t for the fact that this incident was full of doubts and involved a human factor, preventing the guild from acting recklessly or making hasty demands on clans in the city, a mandatory task would have been issued and not just Reiger and Ais, but the entire Loki Clan would have been obligated to assist the guild in resolving the incident unconditionally.

Unable to directly issue a mandatory task, the guild had no choice but to personally approach Reiger and Ais, offering them a non-binding commission like this.

Understanding the situation, Reiger and Ais exchanged a glance.

Ais took a slight step back, seemingly handing the decision-making power over to Reiger.

Such private commissions can be refused, as they are not mandatory tasks and the guild cannot force them to accept.

But the matter seems quite serious, with hints of human manipulation behind it, and if left unaddressed, it could potentially threaten the surface and Orario.

Considering this, Ais felt the commission could be accepted and it would be best to resolve it if possible.

Unfortunately, she was not adept at speaking or complex thinking, unable to articulate her reasoning.

Given this, Ais entrusted the decision to Reiger, allowing him to make the judgment.

Unbeknownst to her, Reiger had come with her today precisely for this matter.

This matter wasn’t entirely unrelated to the blonde, golden-eyed swordswoman, hence Reiger had already decided to involve himself.

The mysterious magician’s sudden arrival and the commission offered, even without these circumstances, would have led Reiger to the 24th floor regardless.

Thus, from the start, there was only one option.

"I have two questions."

Reiger suddenly spoke to the mysterious magician.

"Go ahead."

The mysterious magician raised his chin slightly, indicating for Reiger to ask.

"You commissioned a Lv.4 adventurer from the Ganisa Clan to go to the 30th floor and they brought back items related to the incident, correct?" Reiger pointedly asked, "Where is that item now?"

"...It has already been handed over to me." The mysterious magician seemed caught off guard by Reiger’s question. He paused for a moment before saying, "Another adventurer I commissioned took the item and returned to the surface during the chaos caused by a murder in the town on the 18th floor, and handed it to me."

"I have already disposed of it."

"That isn’t something that should be left unattended."

The mysterious magician’s words somewhat concealed certain facts.

For instance, he didn’t say what the item was.

Moreover, he didn’t mention what might happen if the item were left unchecked.

Ais noticed this and pondered silently.

"Is it because of that item that the guild dares not publicize the incident or issue mandatory tasks?"

Ais considered this a possibility.

On the other hand, Reiger seemed indifferent about the item’s whereabouts and identity, and asked his second question.

"You said that upon resolving this commission, we would receive a rich reward, correct?"

Reiger said this unexpectedly.

"Does the reward include a magic book?"

Hearing the question, not only did Ais display a hint of surprise, but even the mysterious magician was momentarily stunned before responding.

"Do you need a magic book?" he asked, seemingly understanding, speaking up, "People say you can use the magic of the [Sword Princess] and [Thousand Elves], and some gods have suggested that you might, like the [Nine Demon Princesses] and [Thousand Elves], possess special magic capable of using more than three types of magic."

"Looking at it this way, it’s indeed possible for your magic slots to increase further, uncovering more magical possibilities."

"For someone like you to need a magic book is quite normal."

With that, the mysterious magician readily promised.

"Since you need a magic book, I can prepare one for you."

"In the reward given to you, I will include at least two magic books."

"How about that?"

Hearing the mysterious magician speak of precious magical items as casually as cabbage from the street, Ais couldn’t help but feel secretly shocked.

"Okay." Reiger, however, was not surprised at all and nodded with a smile, finally agreeing readily, "We accept this commission."

"Thank you." The mysterious magician nodded, saying, "Then please make your way to Rivira Town first."

"I have prepared some helpers for you. As long as you go to the specified tavern and mention the passcode, they will know your identity and purpose."

"I’ll leave the rest to you."

With those words, the mysterious magician seemed to blend into the mist, slowly disappearing.

Only Reiger and Ais remained standing there, watching the mysterious magician leave in silence for a long time.

After a while, Reiger turned to Ais.

"You’re not upset with me, are you?" Reiger asked gently, "Upset that I took on the commission on my own and even specified the rewards."

"...No," Ais shook her head, understandingly saying, "Since it’s something you need, there wasn’t much choice."

"It’s just..."

Ais hesitated to continue.

"Just what?"

Reiger inquired aloud.

"Can we trust him?"

Ais asked hesitantly.

"Do you find him untrustworthy?"

Reiger countered with another question.

"Very suspicious..." Ais did not refute this point, expressing her perspective while adding, "And, for some reason, I have a bad feeling..."

Reiger stared at Ais, his gaze full of depth.

A bad feeling...?

It seemed the girl had, through intuition, realized that this incident might be intimately connected to her.

The other bloodline within her appeared to have started stirring.

"Don’t worry." Reiger smiled lightly and said calmly, "If anything happens, I’ll take care of it."

Ais then looked at Reiger, observing his calm demeanor. Her usually emotionless face unknowingly relaxed a bit.

"I trust you."

The girl expressed, suppressing the slight unease that crept into her heart.

"Let’s go." Reiger then said, "We need to head to the 18th floor first."

The girl nodded.

Thus, the two proceeded once again to the entrance leading to the 11th floor, their pace noticeably faster than before.

Fog continued to permeate this seemingly endless floor, as if brewing something, never settling.